In a move fraught with controversy, Parliament has approved President Akufo-Addo’s nomination of nine new Ministers of State, marking the first ministerial reshuffle since 2017.
This decision comes at a time when Ghana is grappling with severe economic challenges and widespread public discontent.
The newly appointed ministers include Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye as the Minister of Health, Lydia Seyram Alhassan as the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and Dakoa Newman as the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
Other key appointments include Ophelia Mensah Hayford for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and Andrew Egyapa Mercer for Tourism, Arts, and Culture. Additionally, a slate of deputy ministers has also been confirmed.
However, the approval process was anything but smooth.
The Minority in Parliament staged a dramatic walkout ahead of the vote, vehemently opposing the nominations.
They argue that the current economic and power crises are the direct result of the government’s mismanagement and that appointing new ministers is an inappropriate response.
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson was vocal in his criticism, highlighting the gravity of the country's situation.
“Mr. Speaker, the Minority does not support the nominations of these ministers, because of what the country has gone through and continues to go through, including economic crisis, food insecurity, 'dumsor', and reckless borrowing," he stated.
"Businesses are struggling. While the government has asked Ghanaians to tighten their belts, the government has loosened its belts. Piling up ministers and deputies does not signal to the Ghanaians that the president understands the seriousness of the mess created.”
Mr. Forson's remarks underscore the widespread frustration among many Ghanaians who feel the government is out of touch with the populace's hardships.
The opposition's walkout is a stark symbol of the deep divisions within Ghana's political landscape, as the nation faces soaring inflation, persistent power outages, and a crushing debt burden.
Full List of Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial Nominees
Health: Hon. Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye
Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation: Ophelia Mensah Hayford
Information: Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar
Gender, Children and Social Protection: Dakoa Newman
Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development: Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah
Sanitation and Water Resources: Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan
Tourism, Arts and Culture: Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer
Greater Accra Region: Hon. Titus Glover
Oti Region: Mr. Daniel Machator
Deputy Ministerial Nominees
Information: Sylvester Tetteh, MP
Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development: Vincent Ekow Assafuah
Communications and Digitalisation: Hon. Charles Acheampong
Health: Adelaide Ntim, MP, Alexander Akwasi Acquah
Works and Housing: Hon. Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah
Lands and Natural Resources: Akwasi Konadu
Fisheries and Aquaculture Development: Hon. Musah Abdul Aziz Ayaba
Energy: John Kobina Sanie, Collins Adomako Mensah
Education: Kingsley Nyarko
Employment and Labour Relations: Hon. Festus Awuah Kwofie
Gender, Children and Social Protection: Hon. Benjamin Sekyere Yeboah
This reshuffle, instead of alleviating the nation's woes, has seemingly deepened the political rift.
As Ghanaians grapple with their daily struggles, the government's focus on expanding its ministerial ranks rather than addressing the root causes of the economic crisis may prove to be a contentious strategy.
The coming weeks will undoubtedly test the resilience of both the government and the patience of the people.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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